The Official Airport Assistance Network of the World Airports
The Official Airport Assistance Network of the World Airports
San Francisco International Airport is considered to be one of the top airports in North America to spend the layover. In addition to its high-quality flight accessibility, SFO provides museum-quality exhibitions, fine shopping, award-winning restaurants, wellness centers, observation, and comfortable lounges in four terminals. You have an hour, or even a whole afternoon, the airport has a lot to offer you to relax, dine, shop and explore a bit of Northern California before your next flight.
San Francisco International Airport has gained an excellent reputation of its dining programme which is characterised by renowned Bay Area chefs, local artisan cafes, farm to table dishes, seafood restaurants, and worldwide-known coffee brands. In contrast to most airports, SFO highly emphasizes the food culture of Northern California, and, therefore, eating here is an actual travel experience.
Napa Farms Market is one of the most popular restaurants in the airport which combines fresh California products, sandwich artisans, seasonal salads, fancy cheeses, breads, local wines, and high quality coffee. It is especially famous among travellers who want to have healthy, locally-sourced food before traveling.
Bun Mee is a restaurant with a freshly prepared bánh mì sandwich, rice bowl, noodle meals, Vietnamese iced coffee, and light Asian meals showcasing the vibrant Vietnamese food scene in San Francisco. It is a great option among travellers who are in need of fresh and flavourful food that is served in a hurry.
Yankee Pier is a long time favourite of frequent flyers and is a restaurant that specialises in fresh seafood, New England clam chowder, fish tacos, oysters, grilled salmon, and California coastal-inspired cuisine. Its casual ambiance and delicious seafood make it a signature dining place in the airport.
Mustards Bar & Grill is a restaurant that serves high quality burgers, grilled meats, seasonal dishes in California, fresh salads and a great variety of Napa Valley wines. It was created by a well-known Napa Valley chef, Cindy Pawkcyn. The restaurant is a full service place of food that is suitable during longer layovers.
Amys Drive Thru is perfect to the vegetarian and the health conscious traveller, offering organic burgers, vegetarian burritos, soups, pizzas, salads and dairy free milkshakes made with high quality ingredients. It is among the handful of vegetarian fast-casual restaurants located within a major airport in the U.S.
At SFO, coffee enthusiasts will find no shortage of options, as there are several Peet’s Coffee and Starbucks outlets in all the terminals. Travellers will be able to have freshly brewed coffee, espresso beverages, teas, breakfast sandwiches, pastries, and snacks as they prepare to travel.
Dining Tip: SFO has several restaurants that are involved in its efforts to source locally and eat sustainably. Provided your layover allows it, you can also opt for a sit-down restaurant rather than fast food- you will get a taste of some of the best cuisine Northern California has to offer without having to leave the airport.
The United Polaris Lounge is widely considered as one of the best airline lounges in North America with premium international business class travellers being provided with elegant dining rooms, a la carte meals, luxury shower suites, quiet resting, private working areas and panoramic airfield views. Its luxurious ambience has made it a perfect place to stay among long time travellers who are sending off to some international flights.
United has various United Club lounges all over Terminal 3, which offer cozy seating, free snacks, drinks, Wi-Fi, business services, and power points. The domestic and international passengers flying on United and Star Alliance airlines are fond of these lounges.
The Admirals Club is situated close to the departure gates in Harvey Milk Terminal 1, and provides free drinks, high-quality beverages, silent workstations, Wi-Fi, and spacious seats to eligible passengers in American Airlines and Oneworld.
Catering to the SkyTeam passengers and Priority Pass members at specific timings, this luxurious lounge can serve international food, premium wines, showers, comfortable seating, and has a great view of the international apron.
The Centurion Lounge by American express is one of the most demanded lounges at the airport and it boasts of chef-inspired food, high-end cocktails, Napa Valley wine, shower suites, individual workspaces, high-speed Wi-Fi and luxurious decor. Eligible American Express Platinum and centurion cardholders can access it.
Throughout the high-end lounges throughout SFO, passengers are able to enjoy free meals, local food and beverage selections, premium beverages, shower service, power outlets, business offices, high-speed Internet connectivity, silent rooms, and monitors with flight details. Some lounges have also been equipped with family areas and special workstations which can be used by business travellers.
The access can be different based on the airline, cabin, elite frequent flyer status, or membership programmes such as: Priority Pass, LoungeKey, DragonPass, and eligible premium credit card. Airport Assist may also make lounge access available where-provided as part of a personalised airport assistance package.
DFS Duty Free has multiple stores across the Dianne Feinstein International Terminal with its main shopping center being after the security checkpoint in the International Departures concourse. International travelers also enjoy the privilege of more luxury boutiques that are within their reach, forming one of the biggest premium shopping experiences in the U.S. West Coast.
The duty-free shops include a wide selection of luxury fragrances, high quality cosmetics, skincare, fine wines, champagne, fine spirits, cigars, high quality chocolates, confectionery, sunglasses, designer handbags, watches, travel accessories and exclusive airport editions of major worldwide brands. There are also gifts with local inspiration (such as Napa Valley wines and artisan chocolates, California gourmet products and souvenirs with San Francisco in mind) that travellers can buy.
SFO has luxury retail offerings of international brands including Chanel, Dior, Gucci, Hermes, Burberry, Longchamp, Montblanc, Tumi, Swarovski, Rolex, Omega, Ray-Ban, Jo Malone London, La Mer, MAC Cosmetics, Estée Lauder, Lancome, and many more upscale boutiques of beauty and fashion. These shops have an amazing range of travel exclusive merchandise and the new seasonal collections.
Numerous DFS Duty Free stores have a handy Reserve and Collect service, where international travellers can buy their chosen products online before travelling and pick them up at the airport before travelling. This will allow making shopping faster and making sure that popular items are available.
Traveller Tip: When travelling overseas, postpone your luxurious shopping until you have cleared the security check. The International terminal has the greatest variety of high end boutiques and duty-free prices can offer great value to the fragrances, cosmetics, wines, and designer accessories.
The SFO Museum is a world-famous museum within an airport which is housed in San Francisco International Airport. The terminals showcase rotating exhibitions of aviation history, photography, science, design, pop culture and California heritage and provide travellers with a truly enriching experience during their layover.
Located in Harvey Milk Terminal 1, the SkyTerrace is an outdoor observation deck offering panoramic views of aircraft operations, the runways, and San Francisco Bay. It has telescopes, seating and aviation displays which make it a popular place to visit with the family, aviation lovers and photographers.
Freshen Up in the International Terminal provides travellers who are coming in long-haul flights with shower suites, toiletries, and travel accessories. It is a great place to have a refreshing drink before going on with your trip or to the city.
Families that travel with young kids can utilize special Kids Spots that are found all over the terminals. These colourful playgrounds give children a safe, stimulating environment in which to expend energy prior to boarding.
Arriving, departing or connecting via one of the busiest airports in America, Airport Assist makes your experience at San Francisco International Airport even easier to enjoy with their Meet and Greet services, Fast Track support, baggage delivery services, lounge access and personalised guidance on transit so that you can experience everything that San Francisco International Airport has to offer without the slightest worry.
One can spend 3 hours of their layover on some of the best attractions at San Francisco International Airport without even leaving the airport. First visit the intriguing collections of SFO Museum and then go to the SkyTerrace of the Harvey Milk Terminal 1 where one can observe planes landing and taking off and have a view of San Francisco Bay. Complete your layover by having a meal at Napa Farms Market or taking a break in one of the high end lounges at the airport before your next flight.
Ideal on: Transit, business travellers, aviation enthusiasts, and family.
Having at least five to six hours between flights and the required entry permission into the United States, take the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) straight to the airport to downtown San Francisco. In about 30 minutes, you can visit the Ferry Building Marketplace, the waterfront on The Embarcadero, or you can go shopping and visit cafes at Union Square. Allow sufficient time to go through airport security before departure.
Travel Time: Around 30 minutes each way via BART.
Public Transport: BART or taxi.
A long layover will enable you to get a taste of the world-famous attractions in San Francisco. Begin your day at the Fisherman’s Wharf, and pay a visit to Pier 39, where the famous California sea lions are found, savor fresh seafood with the bay as your backdrop, and then head to the Golden Gate Bridge or Golden Gate Park to have an amazing view and take some memorable photos. Provided that there is time, you can see the historical streets of Chinatown and then comfortably get to SFO.
Travel Time: Depending on the place of destination and traffic, about 30-40 minutes per way.
Best Transport: BART and rideshare or taxi.
San Francisco International Airport has a direct connection with downtown San Francisco and the Bay Area by the BART station in the International Terminal. Public transport is one of the most convenient options to get to the airport, as trains offer a quick, reliable, affordable route to Union Square, the Financial District, Oakland, Berkeley, and other popular destinations.
There are official airport taxis operating 24 hours a day in specified taxi areas outside the terminals. Uber and Lyft are also operating on SFO and have very distinct pickup points, depending on the terminal. Rideshare booking on the mobile application can minimize the waiting time during the busy travel hours.
SamTrans provides various routes which link the airport to San Francisco, San Mateo County, Silicon Valley and neighbouring areas. These buses are a cost effective alternative to travellers who have more flexible schedules and those who have less weighted luggage.
SFO Rental Car Center has major international rental firms such as Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, National, Alamo, Budget, Dollar, Thrifty and Sixt. The centre is linked to any terminal through the free AirTrain service in the airport and thus collecting your vehicle is fast and convenient.
Airport Assist can also organize luxury private transfers between San Francisco International Airport and hotels, business districts, cruise, Silicon Valley, Napa Valley or any other destinations across Northern California. The service is a high-quality service that is targeted at corporate travellers, families, and visitors who want a smooth arrival experience.
The International Terminal, as well as other passenger areas, have currency exchange counters, international banking services and ATMs. Prior to their travel, travellers are able to conveniently withdraw U.S. Dollars or exchange major international currencies.
Though dedicated SIM card vendors are restricted within the terminals, travellers can readily buy prepaid SIM cards or eSIM packages with one of the larger U.S. carriers, like AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon, soon after landing. Activation of eSIM prior to travel is also becoming a trend among international tourists.
San Francisco International Airport has free unlimited high-speed Wi-Fi in every terminal. The passengers can surf the web, watch content, hold virtual meetings or track flights without time limitations or subscription charges.
There are medical aid, Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), first aid, and pharmacies all over the airport. These services make sure that the travellers can receive healthcare services and travel necessities whenever they need it.
There are luggage carts all over the terminals and Airport Assist provides personalized porter services where luggage can be collected, check-in, oversized luggage, and transferring services between terminals.
San Francisco International Airport is considered to be one of the most accessible airports in the United States. The passengers are provided with wheelchair services, easy toilets and accessible toilets, visual paging, hearing loop, elevators, family rest rooms, companion care facilities, barrier free access to all terminals. Airport Assist can also make arrangements to provide personalised help to make your journey between arrival and departure a comfortable one.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | International Airport, San Francisco. |
| IATA Code | SFO |
| ICAO Code | KSFO |
| Location | San Mateo County, California, USA |
| Distance from Downtown | Approximately 13 miles (21 km) |
| Passenger Terminals | 4 (Harvey Milk Terminal 1, Terminal 2, Terminal 3, International Terminal) |
| Hub Airlines | Alaska Airlines, United Airlines. |
| International Flights | Extensive global connectivity |
| Free Wi-Fi | Complimentary and unlimited |
| AirTrain | Free inter-terminal transportation |
| Wheelchair Assistance | Available |
| Airport Assistance | Is offered by Airport Assist. |
It becomes easy to navigate through one of the busiest international airports in America with Airport Assist. We have our customized Meet and Greet, Fast Track services (where applicable), baggage handling, lounge, family, VIP, and private transportation services that will see you make your way in and out of SFO with ease. You are going on business, making a connection abroad, or visiting California for the first time in your life, Airport Assist can guarantee you an easy, comfortable and stress-free airport experience.
Pro Tip: If you have a layover of more than four hours, don't spend the entire time at your gate. Visit the SFO Museum, go to the SkyTerrace to see the views, or rest in one of the lounges that the airport has. Pre-booking Airport Assist will also make your trip even more comfortable with personalised Meet and Greet, baggage service, access to lounges, and special help in arrivals, departures, or in making tight international connections.
